Ispirre INFORM. INSPIRE. CELEBRATE
OCTOBER/ 2013
One More Time!!! Mukoma wa Ngugi returns with ‘Black Star Nairobi’
Kirsty Coventry The swimming superstar on her swimming career and beyond
Made in Africa Celebrate Africa on the runway
EDITOR’S LETTER
Welcome to the issue Dear Reader,
I
spirre started out as a conversation Nyasha and I had a year ago, when we made the discovery that very few magazines spoke to us as African individuals in the diaspora. We wanted to discuss social issues that we faced, our passion for Africa – our desire to be involved in its development and inspire as many people along the way to do the same. We made the resolution that we would start a conversation and Ispirre was born. We didn’t publish Ispirre that year as we had hoped it turns out ideas take a lot to come to life, but I’m glad and grateful because we have managed to hone our mission, we continued to talk to our family and friends and the idea had their full support. In our first issue we celebrate African fashion. It’s a small but growing industry and the African diaspora has certainly embraced it. Africa Fashion Week London 2013 showcased an amazing array of designers from all over the world and what amazing designs!!! Further in, I will let you in on one of the most fascinating novels released this year by an African author. It’s one of the few books about Africa that isn’t talking about the past. Nairobi Heat and its sequel Black Star Nairobi are very much set in modern Africa – Mukoma wa Ngugi gives us some insight into the contradictions that exist in Africa. Oh, and we have some tricks up our sleeve, and a few surprises, but for that, you’ll have to wait. Ispirre is definitely in existence because of the support of our family and friends but I would like to say a few unsolicited words about the team that brought Ispirre to life. Our Graphic Designer Leonie Mendonça for your endless patience and kindness–we had no idea what we were doing but you made it easier. Our Photographer Jason Schembri for helping us tell our story through images–we saw the cover shot and believed we could produce a magazine after all. For us at Ispirre we hope that this is the beginning of a long journey as we try and create a space for dialogue in the African diaspora. We can’t do that without you on board of course so we look forward to hearing from you!!! Thank you
Sharon C Mapendere Founding Editor
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Connect Ispirre with us. INFORM. INSPIRE. CELEBRATE
OCTOBER/ 2013
One MOre TiMe!!! MukoMa wa Ngugi returNs with ‘Black star NairoBi’
KirsTy COvenTry the swiMMiNg superstar oN her swiMMiNg career aNd BeyoNd
Made in Africa Celebrate Africa on the runway
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Ispirre INFORM. INSPIRE. CELEBRATE
OCTOBER/ 2013
One MOre TiMe!!! MukoMa wa Ngugi returNs with ‘Black star NairoBi’
KirsTy COvenTry the swiMMiNg superstar oN her swiMMiNg career aNd BeyoNd
Made in Africa Celebrate Africa on the runway
Model: Pamela Mayenge Photographer: Jason Schembri
Content Features
Makeup: Ropafadzo Makore Necklace: Ispirre Store
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Publishing Details
22 One More Time!!! Mukoma wa Ngugi returns with ‘Black Star Nairobi’
Ispirre www.ispirremagazine.com Editor Sharon Caroline Mapendere smapendere@ispirremagazine.com Marketing and Advertising Manager Nyasha Noreen Gondo nyasha.gondo@ispirremagazine.com Contributing Photographer Jason Schembri Contributing Fashion Editor Janice Lunes Art Director Leonie Mendonça
D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E
true to himself
on his faith, his music and staying
28 Kirsty Coventry: The swimming superstar on her swimming career and beyond
Fashion 08
Get the look: Solange Knowles
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Get the Look: Yaya Dacosta
12 Africa Fashion Week London 2013
Beauty 20
Beauty Look: Kerry Washington
26 Hot List: This season’s must haves
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FEATURE
D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E on his faith, his music and staying true to himself
R
odney Ahenkan aka D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E has been on a journey for the past seven years, as a young man he has endeavoured to use his voice as an instrument to profess his faith. Rodney has released his debut album “In Their Shoes” and it has been doing very well on the market and he is grateful for the success. When I spoke to him about his career it was clear how much his faith is at the core of what he does. There was a sense that here is someone who has found his “purpose”. Born to a Christian mother his journey hasn’t been so smooth, in his teenage years he says he went through the typical teenage anguish but thanks to the encouragement and support from a man he calls his ‘spiritual father’ he found Jesus and his life has never been the same. Here he talks about his journey, his hopes for Africa, the challenges of entrepreneurship and his gratitude for whatsapp and viber…
Ispirre: What influenced you in your career? Rodney: God obviously got the ball rolling and then I believe He placed a lot of things and artists in my life that has shaped
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the music I produce today. Artists like Kirk Franklin have really helped in my delivery and the direction I want to go. But I listen to heaps of different styles of music from urban to classical, folk to pop. I am like a sponge and when I create my own stuff; all those styles play a role.
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?
Ispirre:
Rodney: I do, back in 2006 when I was accepted Jesus, I wrote a song about my life from childhood to that point of repentance. The song is called “Hope On The Other Side” and it started off as a poem then converted into a structured song. I performed it at Living Word Worship Centre in September 2006 Ispirre: Take us through the writing process, do you
write your own songs?
Rodney: The writing process differs depending on the
You have a clothing line? How did that come about?
Ispirre:
Rodney: Yeah, I don’t know what to call it. I mean to the outside world it has all the specs to be called a “Clothing line” but to me it is an extension of the ministry I feel I am called in. With my music, I am very vocal about my faith but not in a ‘preachy’ way but in a way that expresses the beauty of my faith and I believe my clothing does the same thing. It came from a time where I was told that I couldn’t talk about Jesus, in a time where I was told to tone it down with my songs, in a time where my “religious” talk was frowned upon when it came to giving graduation speeches. I felt trapped. I felt like the number one rule back in music school which was “be yourself” didn’t apply to me because my lifestyle may offend someone else. But they never mentioned about other people’s lifestyles offending me. So out of rebellion and frustration, I started something that I didn’t think others were going through and I didn’t think others would catch on to it. I am using it as a tool to help others find their identity in God without having to look a certain way or act in a way that society accepts. Ispirre: How are you finding being an entrepreneur? Rodney: Just like with music it is hard. When it is new and fresh everyone will tap into it because they look at it as “Rodney’s thing” but as time goes on, challenges creep in. Sometimes it means paying extra to get more stock in because friends take goods promising to pay later and never end up doing so. Doing everything yourself is always hard to because during the day you have to run the operation then at night you are chatting with your manufacturers negotiating and designing new clothing. But when you see the fruits of the labour, it makes it all worth it. I love it because I feel I have something valuable to give. Ispirre: How far do you want to take your music? Rodney: I am slowly stepping away from rapping and focusing more on pumping up an urban/contemporary fusion. I also want to create music of substance where it can be used for all occasions. The other day I was sent an email where a few of my songs were used at a funeral as the casket was ushered in and out. Now I don’t know about you, but it was an honour for me to be part of that family history. Stuff like that fuels me to write for all matters of life. Ispirre: What do your family and friends think? Rodney: Family are proud of me. I have come a long way and now I am doing something that no one in my family has ever
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done. I think that is pretty cool. With friends, honestly I think I have lost a lot. A bunch of them have said “Man what you are doing is cool but I could never do that” and since then, never heard from them since. Oh well, it is part of life but I am glad I have my inner circle that keep me accountable.
Ispirre
type of song and the intended market. If I am going for the contemporary worship approach then I work from the piano along with a click track. If it is a hip hop song then I start with drums and then work with synths and bass. I write all of my music including what you hear the singers sing so I praise God for that talent.
Ispirre: What has been the highlight of your career so far? Rodney: My album launch by far has been a massive highlight for me. Having a packed house, full band and the presence of God booming through the rap art form was amazing. I would like to do more shows like that because we don’t seem to have a lot of shows like that in Australia.
You recently opened for Mary Mary? How was the experience?
Ispirre:
Rodney: Opening for Mary Mary was something else. I mean I grew up listening to them and now here I am [with The Commission] opening for them. You hear “Shackles” and you know it is going to be a good time. Trust me when they performed it with the live band, it was on a new level. I will take that experience with me for a long time. Ispirre: Do you have a dream act to open for? Rodney: Kirk franklin point blank. People may think I idolise him or whatever but I am just thankful that God used him to touch me and shape my view on how I want to do music here in Australia. Ispirre: Do you get recognised in the street? Rodney: I guess it depends on where I am. In the city, not really because I don’t really do shows out that way but when I am out west, I normally get a holla or two. Nothing too dramatic and that is how I prefer it. Ispirre: How do you think you can make a difference
with what you do?
Rodney: Just inspire believers that you can still hold it down for your faith and still be relevant in what you portray. It is actually pretty cool being a Christian and I guess that would be the thing I want to emphasise more on no matter the field of work you desire, God can get the glory.
Are you in touch with your relatives in Ghana?
Ispirre:
Rodney: Yeah thanks to whatsapp and viber, Free texts and free calls. Away with the phone cards.
Ispirre: What are your hopes for Africa? Rodney: Unity. I am going to be honest and say that at times the unity has been the downfall of a lot of progress in our nation. If we could put away the mentality of wanting to be the first or only one to achieve something then I think it would be the start of something revolutionary. www.ispirremagazine.com / 7
STYLE
Solange Knowles has been crownED the queen of ‘prints’ be inspired by the star’s fearless style
GEt the-
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Bracelets – H&M Blazer – River Island Motel Rocks Gothic Dress – icifashion.com Shoes Zigouwi sandal – Christian Louboutin
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Ispirre
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Pay tribute to your African roots by adding an Ankara head wrap 1. Bandaeu – Zara.com 2. Bone Nicole blazer – zalander.co.uk – $306.50 3. Pieces Fiala Leather Jeans Belt – ASOS.com – $19. 4. Tara Jarmon Trousers – zalando.co.uk – $119.16 Yaya Dacosta
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FEATURE
Africans Doing Business
“Ability is what you are capable of doing, Motivation determines what you do, and Attitude determines how well you do it” – Lou Holtz
– Urimbo Group Australia W
e are excited to launch our first issue with a regular column showcasing African Entrepreneurs doing business both in Africa and the Diaspora. We will be interviewing them on their businesses, the challenges they are facing and how they are making it – for the purpose of inspiring budding entrepreneurs. We hope this column will inspire you to go out there and do that which you are passionate about. This issue we sit down with Australian based Samuel Sebenzo who along with his business partner Nathan Pasic founded Urimbo Group. Urimbo Group is a leader in information technology mainly in the areas of IT managed Services and Cloud computing - both relatively new services in the Australian IT market.
Ispirre: Urimbo, that’s a unique name? Samuel: Urimbo or Birdlime is a Zimbabwean Shona name. The motivation for the name came from a song of a wellknown Zimbabwean singer, Oliver Mtukudzi “Mbiri Urimbo”(Fame is sticky). “Fame is not something you’re born with,” says Mtukudzi, “It’s something that comes to you and sticks to you. It’s not you. It’s what you do, or the result of what you do. When you’re famous, your footprint becomes bigger than your foot, maybe too big. It becomes easier for people to follow it, even if it’s not the best footprint to follow. This is exactly what we strive to be in the IT Industry, we want our clients not to know us as individuals but what we
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do. We want our company to be famous for providing a unique IT services that is second to none. We basically want our clients to stick to us!! It’s not about the sales pitch; it’s about making the difference by our unique services. Ispirre: What brought Urimbo Group about? Samuel: Well, Urimbo Group Pty Ltd is an integration of two IT businesses previously owned by myself and a good friend Nathan. We decided to integrate these businesses so we could utilise our different expertise to better cater for our existing and prospective clients by giving them excellent and exceptional services. We joined forces pretty much. Ispirre: Although the information Technology Industry has become increasingly competitive, your business continues to expand. What is it that you do that is different? What are some things you offer that make the services you provide sought after? Samuel: You are right the IT industry is extremely competitive, it’s not easy to continue expanding in this climate but we do work very hard in providing unique and personalised services to our clients which makes Urimbo Group distinct to other IT companies on the market. The main services that we offer are IT Managed Services and Cloud Computing. These are relatively unique in Australia; they essentially mean our company becomes the IT department for our clients.
hat’s the next step for you? Where do W you see yourself in the next year?
Using Urimbo Group services means customers always get the latest version of all Microsoft Operating Systems and Applications, with no upgrade costs. It also means our clients will never again have to upgrade their server hardware. We love what we do; we are very passionate about making a difference in the IT industry. We are constantly looking for opportunities to differentiate ourselves.
e currently have a lot of opportunities and projects that we W are working on, Australia is years behind America and UK in some technologies such as Cloud computing and Managed Services and we are very excited to be able to offer these services in Australia.
Ispirre: What difficulties are you facing as a young African Entrepreneur in Australia? Samuel: Australia is continent full of opportunities, and I strongly believe that anyone with dedication and desire to succeed can achieve an entrepreneurial dream no matter where they come from. There are so many success stories of migrants making it big in the business industry. This is very encouraging. I believe the problems we face aren’t really based on my being African, but on how young my business partner and I are. Initially, prospective clients view our age as lack of experience, however once we prove ourselves and show how much we know about the industry then age really doesn’t continue to be an issue, in fact it becomes an advantage because of the youthful enthusiasm we show when doing our job. This has made a huge difference; we take it as a good thing for it gives us confidence in our ability.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome”
Ispirre:
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Ispirre
complete Urimbo Technologies IT Managed solution A allows businesses to focus on their business, and not their technology by paying for their IT as they need it, with no contracts, no up-front capital expenditure and receive easy and instant access to an entire IT department 24 hours a day. Scale up or down as their needs change, as the economy changes and as technology changes. Designed to reduce client costs, increase client profits and mitigate customer business risks, we partner with our clients as their Virtual Chief Information Officer and IT Department.
Samuel: To tell you the honest truth in an industry such as ours a year is such a long time to forecast anything, technology changes almost every day, we have to be switched on to these changes and how these changes affect the industry and ultimately, our clients. All we hope for is that next year we continue to expand and our services continue to be relevant to our clients. Our ultimate goal is introducing these advanced IT services in Africa and Croatia.
astly we have to ask - What advice would L you give to someone considering venturing out on their own? Ispirre:
Samuel: Well the probability of that one will become an entrepreneur at some point in life has never been higher. A lot of people of my age or even younger are choosing entrepreneurship as a career rather than working for someone else. To someone who wants to venture and start something of their own, I say, “Never take anything for granted, be confident that change is possible, be convinced that your idea is unique, even if there is someone somewhere with a similar idea, believe you can make it better and stay FOCUSED. NEVER,NEVER, NEVER give up on anything. I leave you with two of my favourite quotes; “Ability is what you are capable of doing, Motivation determines what you do, and Attitude determines how well you do it” ~ Lou Holtz
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome” ~ Booker T. Washington For their comprehensive services please visit:
www.urimbogroup.com.au www.urimbohosting.com.au www.urimbotechnologies.com.au www.urimbowarehouse.com.au
– Booker T. Washington www.ispirremagazine.com / 11
FASHION
AFWL brought a clear mix of African and Western cultures by using ethnic prints combined with more Western materials
African
FASHION WEEK London 2013 by Janice Lunes 12 / www.ispirremagazine.com
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frica Fashion Week London 2013 was the place to be as London introduced the best of African Fashion. The fashion extravaganza took place at the old Truman Brewery in London; AFWL brought a clear mix of African and Western cultures by using ethnic prints combined with more Western materials such as fur, feathers and sequins. AFWL opened this season with 100 designers, 100 models and counted 20,000 guests in attendance.
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Designers such as Metisse, Jessicah Baah and African Fashion Today (AFT) showcased the traditional Ankara fabric in their collections, showing knee-length dresses, shorts and evening wear. Designers also used light materials such as satin and cotton to give the designs a contemporary edge. Fabrics such as denim, silk and satin were used to create beautiful dresses and blouses. Previously designers such as Ozwald Boateng introduced traditional suits for men made with Ankara fabric- this trend appears to have taken hold. Africa Fashion Today showcased several traditional men’s suits in print. The presence of this many designers in London this year is a reflection of the continued growth of the African fashion industry. Overall the ALFW showed various current trends that can easily be incorporated in your daily wardrobe such as sequins and graphic printed shirts. Colour blocking trends have also been taken from the runway to daily street wear.
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FASHION
MADE IN
AFRICA Transformer – www.cocoafrica.com.au – $49.99
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Ispirre Spring – www.cocoafrica.com.au – $59.99
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FASHION
Spicy zebra dress – www.cocoafrica.com.au – $74.99
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Ispirre Sara Aljaism – info@saraaljaism.com – price upon request Model – Ornella Nishimwe
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FASHION
WHAT’S
HOT WHAT’S NEW 18 / www.ispirremagazine.com
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Ispirre African diva clutch – Ispirre store– $100
Multistrand Beaded Necklace – Ispirre store – $30 Model – Ropafadzo Makore
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BEAUTY
Barely-there
makeup H
ollywood is going nude this summer, celebrities like Kerry Washington are opting for barelythere makeup which is great for summer–nobody wants to wear a face full of makeup in the heat?– plus, it typically makes you look fresh and younger, too. Win, win. This season it’s all about a fresh complexion, with just enough of a glow to make the face look radiant… The best way to recreate the fresh-faced look is by starting with a flawless complexion, it’s important that you prep your skin and moisturise well. It’s essential to moisturise your face, neck and décolleté morning and night. L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur is a great primer to give an air-brushed look to your skin or you can use Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive to give a luminous, smooth finish.
Kerry Washington
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Use concealer sticks to eliminate redness and imperfections. A green-
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Ispirre 2
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based concealer neutralises redness and evens out the skin, while beige illuminates shadow zones, undereye shadows and little spots.
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Going sans base is best, but if you need a bit of coverage, opt for a light coverage bb cream like Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream or a light foundation like Avon’s Ideal Shade Fresh and Light Foundation. Applying mascara only to your top lashes is the best way to keep your makeup light. Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Brown gives a natural-looking finish, plus, using brown instead of black mascara keeps things more subtle. To give your lips a bit of naturallooking colour, try fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Petal, which hydrates and plumps the lips, but only leaves a light wash of color–basically making your lips look a slightly exaggerated version of themselves.
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1. Blushwear Cream Stick. Clinique.com.au – $43 2. Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara. Clinique.com.au – $34 3. AVON’S Ideal Shade Fresh and Light Foundation- avon.com.au 4. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream. Priceline – 15.95 5. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 1. Strawberrynet.com.au – $38 6. Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive Dermostabilising Hydrator 50mls. Strawberrynet.com.au – $45
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BOOK REVIEW
one more time!!! Mukoma wa Ngugi: Nairobi Heat 22 / www.ispirremagazine.com
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Ispirre
M
ukoma wa Ngugi comes from one of the most noted literary families in Africa-his father Ngugi wa Thiongo is a celebrated author and activist, Mukoma however has carved out his own career in writing, He has released a multitude of literary works and here he discusses his latest offerings Nairobi Heat and Black Star Nairobi. The first Nairobi heat came out in 2009, the sequel Black Star Nairobi was released in June this year. The author talks about his writing process, lessons from his father as well as navigating hyphenated identities in the diaspora.
How would you describe Nairobi Heat to someone who hasn’t heard or read any of the book reviews?
Ispirre:
Mukoma: I would describe it as a fast paced political detective thriller that features an African American detective in Madison Wisconsin investigating the murder of a white woman and that murder eventually takes him to Kenya where he ends up getting involved in the history of the Rwandan genocide.
represented the beautiful side but I am finding that sort of argument to be very shallow because it’s as if we are trying to paint beautiful colours over all these contradictions. It’s as if we are trying to impose this nice rainbow over places where absolute poverty exists. There is the cult of afro optimist critics who wants to see a beautiful Nairobi of skyscrapers but I think until we are able to see the Nairobi with all these contradictions then as writers we’ll keep exploring it. I was just in London for the African writing festival where one of the judges argued that when she was the judge for that year that she campaigned vigorously for one of the stories not to make to the prize list because it was talking about the Africa of poverty and the Africa of bad things always happening but for me I find that very dangerous because first, these stories need to be told because they are happening and those people deserve to be heard but at the same time we should also look at how the story is being told, is it a story you enjoy reading rather than worrying about whether we are portraying Africa beautifully. Whether we are portraying Africa for tourists or for the Africa that we know?
Ispirre: Why Nairobi? Mukoma: It’s because I am from Kenya definitely and I know Nairobi very well. I wanted also to think through my own questions of identity through Ishmael. Ishmael is in search of an African identity but also here in the US I have been in search of an African American identity. It’s as if we have a reversal between me and Ishmael but it also helped me think about about my relationship with Kenya because I have been gone for over twenty years now so Nairobi heat was a way for me to try to come to terms with my Kenyaness.
Did you feel any pressure to represent Nairobi in a positive way? Ispirre:
Mukoma: No, not really because in my own feeling I am very very interested in contradictions and I’m interested in the politics of poverty. I am interested in the contradiction of having a city where you can have a very rich suburb and literally next to it you have a slum so I am interested in exploring that .O ne of the areas I talk about in the novel is suburb called Mountainview estate and right next to it there is a slum called Kangemi which is a very very poor area, so I did not feel that pressure to present a positive Nairobi. I have seen a lot of that criticism especially when it comes to the Caine prize where people worry when we write things that are not very tourist friendly, when we write we are not part of the tourist board then there is this outcry of oh! But you should have www.ispirremagazine.com / 23
BOOK REVIEW
Ispirre: Joshua’s foundation is said to have been built
to exploit the Whiteman’s “guilty conscience”, do you think that philanthropy in Africa was born out of a guilty conscience?
Mukoma: There is a lot of guilt around the Rwandan genocide. The genocide happened in 1994 and that was the year that Mandela was released. To go back to the Africa of contradictions we cannot just write about the genocide but at the same time we cannot just write about Mandela being released it’s a contradiction we need to carry forward. Going back to your original question, there is a lot of guilt around the Rwandan genocide because it happened as the world watched. From the United Nations to the westerners that’s when Bill Clinton was president. So everybody knew it was happening from the African Union to pretty much the whole world everybody knew it was happening and yet when you look at the UN they made it very clear to the troops that were based there that they were not to intervene. That’s when Bill Clinton was intervening in Bosnia so there was a question of is it because its Africa that people were not doing anything? So I think that created a lot of guilt. There is a lot of guilt affiliated surrounding philanthropy in Africa. I think it allows us to not deal with the real structural questions of the relationship between Africa and the west which is a history starting with of course slavery, colonialism neo-colonialism and now the unequal economic relationship between the two regions, We still have industries ,our minerals and our natural resources overwhelmingly coming to the west There is a good statistic that I came across some time back that says for every dollar that the us gives in foreign aid it gets back two dollars through unequal trade. This tells me that for the philanthropists and the people that say are concerned with Africa that we are all better off arguing for fair trade than giving money fostering dependency.
Ispirre: Detective O and Ishmael have an instantaneous partnership-was race a contributing factor? Had Ishmael been white American would the dynamics of the relationship be the same?
Mukoma: I do think that the dynamics would be very different first because of the way Kenyans privilege whiteness. I do think that they would have gotten answers a little faster, certainly they would get better treatment in restaurants and in the political offices because in Kenya they still have the idea that white is better than black essentially. What’s interesting is that I have been talking to some filmmakers and they were saying they would be more interested if ‘O’ was white. That would definitely change the dynamics for Ishmael given that he trying to come to terms with his blackness.
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Ispirre: Ishmael gets irritated about constantly being referred to as ‘mzungu’. Has whiteness in Africa become more than skin colour? Mukoma: I have heard quite a lot of African American friends who have gone to Africa and been called ‘mzungu’ it could just be that it’s foreign or that the name sounds English. It could be the mannerisms such as the way they speak it sounds English. It could also be about the systematic racism and prejudice against black people that fosters black inferiority.
They say you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain: is this what happened to Joshua or was he never a hero?
Ispirre:
Mukoma: For me Joshua encompasses evil, a very calculated evil. In Nairobi heat he appears as a saviour as the black face of goodness but he himself really very very self-serving. His
Race is a recurring motif in Nairobi heat: how are race relations in Africa after colonialism? Ispirre:
Mukoma: I think they have definitely changed I mean yes there is still the white privilege but I think that white privilege as we understood it during colonialism as a governmental force definitely that has changed .I mean if white Kenyans say something racist to black Kenyans they would have the power of the state behind them during colonialism; they had the power of the state and the whole white community behind them so if someone insulted a white person in the US as well; if there was a conflict between black and white would always prevail. I think socially I wouldn’t say white privilege functions the same as white racism I would say that white privilege has money behind it. It has changed but it’s not to the extent where it is acknowledged by both parties that the life of a black person is worth the same as that of a white person I think we still have a lot of work to do. Ispirre: In
your essay African in America or African American? You talk about how you feel that it is possible for a person to have two homes at the same time. Many Africans in the Diaspora feel they have to choose; do you think that’s the case?
Mukoma: How to choose from two places where your roots are? I think if you look at it objectively for example in my case I have brothers who are still in Kenya, my whole extended family is still in Kenya. The memories that form me before I left so the first twenty years of my life those memories are Kenyan and I would like very much for my daughter would be aware of her Kenyan heritage. Without a doubt I am rooted in Kenya but at the same time I am also rooted here for example my wife is American, my daughter was born here so that means she will go to school here. I am married to an American so I also have relatives here and I am working here-I teach at Cornell. For me for somebody to come and tell me why don’t you choose one it’s an impossible task really or for me to impose that task on myself is it’s a form of selftorture because I cannot undo the roots I have here as much
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Ispirre
idea was that how best can be use goodness or the appearance of goodness to do bad things that’s the thing that drives him so consequently he is very good at it. He knows how to tap into the white guilt and nobody is going to question him because then he can turn it around and say where were you guys during the genocide. I also wanted to have him as a likeable antihero. I wanted a guy who encompasses absolute evil but also be able to exploit goodness. People wanted to find heroes after the Rwandan genocide ad he put himself forward as one.
as I cannot undo the roots I have in Kenya so why not just acknowledge them and celebrate both?
Your father is a writer, which one of his books do you think is his masterpiece and why? Ispirre:
Mukoma: He may not happy with me picking only one but the one I teach consistently and I never get tired of teaching is ‘A Grain of Wheat’ because it shows characters who are falling in love and fighting each other and it shows people in a community in a time of colonialism. In spite of the fact that it’s a time of great hardship because of colonialism and the laws that comes with that. It shows characters who are trained to do the best they can to go through a boat life, to go through life. So you have the architecture of colonialism and people trying to carve out a life out of that. I love that it’s not about colonialism but people living under colonialism.
What have you leant from him as a writer and as a father?
Ispirre:
Mukoma: I have learnt quite a bit from the discipline of it - the discipline of writing. When I was a kid I would go to his office, my job was to bring him tea. He drank a lot of tea-I have never seen anyone drink so much tea in my life! Sometimes I would be hanging around his office and try to read books I couldn’t understand of course. He is also a great reader he loves reading and discovering new authors and consistently pushes himself to keep writing and keep releasing new stuff. So I would say the discipline of reading and writing really and also something that nobody could have taught me which is growing up in a house where I knew that books could be written. I think for a lot of upcoming writers the prospect of writing a book seems so daunting because they have only seen completed work. But for me I have seen the process, it’s like having a mechanic for a father you get to see the car in parts and you get to see the car being put together and making a car becomes possible so for me that I could produce a book was never in question because I knew it could be done. Ispirre: We heard Nairobi heat is being adapted into film is that still happening?
Mukoma: No no…the guy who was going to direct it is still interested but the producer he is out so we have a director and the script with no money. Until we find the money there is really nothing we can do
Can we expect to see you in Australia anytime soon?
Ispirre:
Mukoma: You guys invite me I will be there in a minute!!!
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BUILD YOUR Ispirre INFORM. INSPIRE. CELEBRATE
OCTOBER/ 2013
One MOre TiMe!!! MukoMa wa Ngugi returNs with ‘Black star NairoBi’
KirsTy COvenTry the swiMMiNg superstar oN her swiMMiNg career aNd BeyoNd
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INTERVIEW
Kirsty Coventry An interview by Sharon C Mapendere
K
irsty Coventry has won the most individual Olympic medals amongst women of all time and in the process became an accidental sports ambassador for Zimbabwe and Africa on the world stage. Her success in the swimming arena has inspired many African children to take up the sport, she has endeavoured to promote sport in Zimbabwe and across Africa- she currently is a member of the International Olympic Committee and will be so for eight years. Despite all her success Kirsty remains humble, ambitious and hopeful, we sat down for a quick interview with her and this is what she had to say about her career and the man she describes as the love of his life. Ispirre: What got you started? Kirsty: My immediate love for the water. I started swimming at 18 months and since then no one could keep me away from it. We were lucky enough to have a small pool in our garden and everyday after school, the first thing I would do is jump in the pool. It would take my parents ages to get me out. I’m noticing more and more children are coming home from school and immediately watching TV and not being as active as they should. Parents need to take responsibility for this and ensure they are sacrificing the free time to encourage their children to get involved with sports.
Ispirre: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport? Kirsty: Winning Gold in 2 consecutive Olympic Games, in the same event, 200m Backstroke.
Ispirre: You participated in the London Olympics - what was that experience like for you? Does it get old? You have done this a couple of times before...
Kirsty: London was my fourth Olympics, and no it doesn’t get old! It’s incredible that after so many years of training, and training at this level of competition, I still get nervous. Getting nervous is part of the excitement and driving force
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behind my competing and if I ever stopped getting nervous, I would stop competing. Ispirre: What would be your ultimate achievement? Kirsty: Well, I have won Gold, and I have broken World Records so it’s difficult to say what my ultimate achievement would be because this is the ultimate. I would say that swimming the perfect race is the ultimate. I know I have never swum the perfect race and I may never swim the perfect race but getting out the pool and being able to say – that was perfect, would be the ultimate achievement. Ispirre: How do you set your goals? Kirsty: My goals are set by the standards I expect from myself. This is sometimes difficult because the standards I set are always high. In some instances I may be left disappointed with a result (even though I may have won and my coach is ecstatic) but this is only because of the levels of goals I set. Ispirre: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge? Kirsty: My biggest challenge is always my competitors. As an athlete, CEO, business owner etc, you are the one in charge of making sure you put yourself in the best possible position to be number one. Unfortunately, you have no control over what your competitors are doing. To overcome this, you have to train correctly and constantly. This is when sacrifices are made and decision-making becomes important. Understand that you cannot control what your competitors do, trust in your training, manage your nerves, and you will be fine. Ispirre:
given?
What was the best advice you were ever
Kirsty: At age 9, I told my dad I wanted to go to the Olympics and win gold. He told me it would take a lot of hard work but I must just keep going. Simple but true.
INFORM. INSPIRE. CELEBRATE
Ispirre: What do you still want to accomplish? Kirsty: I want to be a successful business woman and continue inspiring people in the work I do.
Ispirre
Ispirre: Where do you keep your medals? Kirsty: Everyone always asks, and no one will ever know. I can tell you they are wrapped in socks.
What would you place in a time capsule that would tell a relative 100 years from now who you were? Ispirre:
Kirsty: Me and my fiancé. I would love to know that I have made a difference and it has remained 100 years from now. Of course I wouldn’t want to travel that far without the love of my life either.
Ispirre: What’s the most romantic thing you’ve done for Tyrone or vice versa?
Kirsty: I’m a romantic and I adore going out for dinners and weekends away when it’s just the two of us. Sometimes we will dress up to go out for dinner when there is no occasion for it. Sometimes we might just book into a hotel for the night. I guess there may not be one, most romantic thing we’ve done, but we continue to do the small important things to keep the fire burning.
Who’s had the greatest influence on your life and why? Ispirre:
Kirsty: There have been a few people, my coach, my teachers, my fiancé but I would like to just mention my parents. They have been the only constant in my entire life and it is because of them I was able to continue swimming when all my friends were giving up.
Who in your life would you like to thank and for what? Ispirre:
Kirsty: I would like to thank the Zimbabwean people. I know we do not get paid like athletes from other countries but I don’t know many top Athletes with children named after them. Zimbabweans have a unique but profound way of continuously supporting me and even when I was unable to bring a medal back from London2012, they understood and stuck by me.
If you had only one day to live, how would you live it?
Ispirre:
Kirsty: Figuring out how to live longer. I love a challenge and I’m pretty successful when I set myself goals.
What is it that you absolutely couldn’t live without?
Ispirre:
Kirsty: Other than Tyrone, it would be children. Children bring such a light to my life and I find inspiration in their positiveness and ability to get over pain and sadness quickly. www.ispirremagazine.com / 29
STOCKLISTS
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Cocoa Africa www.cocoaafrica.com.au Sara Aljaism info@saraaljaism.com Ispirre store info@ispirremagazine.com
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INFORM. INSPIRE. CELEBRATE
IN HER OWN-
Ispirre
LAST WORD
WORDS People ask me if I have some kind of death wish, to keep saying the things I do. The answer is no. I would like to keep living. However, some things must be said, and there are times when silence becomes an accomplice to injustice. – Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Infidel www.ispirremagazine.com / 31